The minimums are pretty high into MMH, with 1300-1 1/2 (and a GPS approach being the only published IAP.) However, that's no different than it used to be at SUN before the GPS approaches, and the terrain is pretty similar. I'm wondering if Horizon is going to commission an IAP for them so that they could achieve lower mins.

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

Quoting RCoulter (Reply 10):I agree, I drive down that way often and I have always wanted to take a flight around the area to see the beauty from above

I hope they descend down the Owens Valley following US395 all the way past Lake Crowley to land on Runway 27. That would make an absolutely spectacular flight.

Its also great to see the Eastern California region get its first commercial service. This will make it quite a bit easier for folks in the northern Owens Valley and Mono County to travel and easier for tourists who wish to get to access to the east side Yosemite, Sequioa, or Kings Canyon National Parks. I certainly hope this flight does well!

I know there is a long history between the FAA and the town of Mammoth regarding the airport but I thought that there were still some issues to be resolved with the airport layout before Q400 flights could begin. This link (from the Sierra Club, so it's admittedly anti-air service) references problems with the airport layout which supposedly violates certain FAA regulations, even for regional jets:

Quoting Osprey88 (Reply 11):Its also great to see the Eastern California region get its first commercial service

This is far from their first commercial service. List includes Sierra Pacific, Wings West, Air Sierra, Alpha Air, Mammoth Air Shuttle. Of course aircraft size was usually no larger than Jetstreams and Convairs of Sierra Pacific.

Quoting MtnWest1979 (Reply 15):This is far from their first commercial service. List includes Sierra Pacific, Wings West, Air Sierra, Alpha Air, Mammoth Air Shuttle. Of course aircraft size was usually no larger than Jetstreams and Convairs of Sierra Pacific.

I should have been more clear, since this QX service is the Eastern Sierra's first major scheduled passenger service in quite a while.

Quoting Osprey88 (Reply 17):I wish. TVL has very strict noise restrictions which would make commercial air service quite difficult. TRK might be another option for the area, but its probably too close to RNO.

TRK also has a ton of NIMBY's moving in. Another thing is TVL would be a bit more dangerous IMHO because it is in more of a forest and the mountains really encroach on on the airport also. The only place I could/would like to see it extended to would be MEV, everyone up here dreads the commute down 395 from RNO and I think if it was a few times a week it might work. That's just dreaming though

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Air announced today the airline will offer new daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Mammoth Mountain for the 2008/2009 winter sports season starting Dec. 18.

“The addition of commercial air service to Mammoth represents a big step toward realizing our shared vision to become a destination resort community,” said Rusty Gregory, CEO of Mammoth Mountain. “Horizon’s daily flights will allow the world to experience what Southern Californians have known for decades; that Mammoth is for everyone who wants to play big in the mountains. World class skiing and snowboarding in the winter along with fishing, hiking, golf and mountain biking in the summer plus great new food offerings provided by our partner, Patina Restaurant Group – it just doesn’t get any better than Mammoth.”

Horizon’s new flight is expected to boost tourism to Mammoth by facilitating inbound travel from a wide variety of national and international airlines that fly into LAX. Similarly, travelers from Mammoth will gain an easier way to travel, with connections to dozens of destinations coast to coast and around the world served by Alaska, Horizon and other airlines at LAX.